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What is the strategic health authority (SHA)?
SHAs were created by the government in 2002 to manage the local NHS on behalf of the Department of Health. There were originally 28 SHAs, but on 1 July 2006 these were reduced to 10.
SHAs are responsible for:
- developing plans for improving health services in their local area.
- making sure local health services are of a high quality and are performing well.
- increasing the capacity of local health services - so they can provide more services.
- making sure national priorities are integrated into local health service plans.
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What is a primary care trust (PCT)?
Primary care is provided in the community by the people you normally see when you first have a health problem, for example a visit to a doctor (GP), dentist, optician or pharmacist. It is estimated that 80 per cent of patient contact with the health service happens in primary care.
Primary care trusts were introduced in 2002 to manage and lead the provision of most community-based health services. PCTs control approximately 90 per cent of the NHS budget. They work with hospitals and other health and social care providers, including local councils and the independent sector, to make sure local communities get the right treatment and care to meet their needs. This includes having contracts in place for the right number of GPs, dentists and opticians.
PCTs also have an important role in encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles. They provide information and services to help improve health, such as supporting people to stop smoking, take more exercise and improve their diet.
Within NHS North East there are 12 PCTs.
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What is an acute trust?
Acute trusts manage hospitals and work closely with primary care trusts to provide the right hospital-based services (sometimes called secondary care) to meet patients' needs. Acute trusts usually manage services across a number of different hospital sites, making sure that high quality healthcare is provided and money is spent efficiently. They also decide on strategies for how the hospitals will develop and continue to improve their services.
Within NHS North East there are eight acute trusts.
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What is a foundation trust?
Foundation trusts were introduced in April 2004. They are a new type of NHS hospital trust and are run by local managers, staff and members of the public, with less control from central government. While they still carry out all of the responsibilities mentioned under acute trusts (above), foundation trusts are given more financial and operational freedom and represent the government's commitment to decentralising the control of public services. These trusts remain within the NHS and its performance inspection system.
All acute trusts and mental health trusts in the north east are foundation trusts.
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What is a mental health trust?
Mental health trusts provide health and social care services for people with mental health problems. Mental health services can be provided through your GP, other primary care services or through more specialist care. More specialist care is normally provided by mental health trusts or local council social services department.
There are two mental health trusts in the north east.
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What is an ambulance trust?
Ambulance trusts provide emergency transport and access to healthcare. They also provide patient transport services for many NHS patients who need assistance to get to their appointments or treatment. There is one ambulance trust in the north east.
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How can I find out about the performance of NHS organisations?
For more information on performance in NHS North East, see our performance reports.
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What if I am looking for a job or information about careers in the health service?
For more information on working for the NHS in the north east, visit the careers section of our website.
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How can I find contact details for SHA staff?
These details can be found on this website in the About us section.
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How can I find an SHA organisational structure?
An organisational chart can be found on this website in the About us section.
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Where can I find SHA publications?
You can find many of our publications including annual reports, business plan, board reports and performance reports on this website.
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How do I find out how the SHA is spending its budget?
Details of what we spend can be found in section two of our guide to information.
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Where can I find details of executive directors’ recruitment and retention payments and performance related pay?
Details of executive directors’ recruitment and retention payments and performance related pay can be found on this website.
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How can I find out about board members' expenses?
Details of expenses can be found in section two of our guide to information.
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How can I find out about board members' salaries?
Details of board members' salaries can be found in our annual reports.
